Detroit is best known for its tremendous contributions to the music landscape and the auto industry, but many people are unfamiliar with all the beauty and culture the city also has to offer. Here, we give you an inside look on some of the hot spots in Detroit, and share our top picks for a date night in and around Motown:

1. Bike Ride in Kensington Metropark (2240 West Buno Road, Milford) – Eight miles of paved trails will wind you through beautiful scenery, and the hilly landscape is just enough to help you work up a sweat. There are plenty of picnic tables set throughout the park, perfect for a picnic with your favorite guy or gal. Bring your own bike, or rent from nearby Trails Edge in downtown Milford. Just be sure to pack a helmet – you won’t be allowed to ride without one. Check out the park website here for details.

2. Tigers Game at Comerica Park(2100 Woodward Avenue, Detroit) - With a few months left in the regular MLB season, there are still plenty of opportunities to take your date out to the ballgame. Head downtown early and grab a bite to eat at nearby Hockeytown Cafe , Cheli’s Chili, or one of the other fantastic options around the stadium. Nothing beats a summer night downtown!

3. Dinner at Coach Insignia, top of the Renaissance Center (71st & 72nd Floor, 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit) - This contemporary steakhouse offers breathtaking views of the city (and Windsor!) from the top of the Renaissance Center. For the 21 and over crowd, the wine list at Coach Insignia is also superb. Details at their website, here.

4. Catch a concert at DTE Energy Music Theater (7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston) – Set beside the beautiful hills of Pine Knob ski resort, this venue is perfect for catching a concert on a hot summer night. Check the website here to see which acts will be making an appearance soon.

5. Detroit Institute of Arts (5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit) – If a cultural date is more your style, you will love the DIA. Having been around for more than a century (the museum was founded in 1885!) their collection is among the top six in the United States. Aside from their more than 100-galleries, the DIA also has plenty of special events, like Friday Night Live! and Sunday Music Bar. For a complete listing of events, and museum hours, visit the Detroit Institute of Arts website, here.

6. Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village (20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn) – With a diverse offering of exhibits, demonstrations, programs and reenactments, The Henry Ford celebrates yesterday’s traditions as well as today’s innovations. Attractions include the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and the Henry Ford IMAX Theater. Also running now through September 30th is the Titanic Artifact Exhibition, 10,000 square feet of more than 300 artifacts, room re-creations and tributes to the passengers on board the ship. Visit the Henry Ford website here for more information.

8. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle (310 South Troy St., Royal Oak) - Stand-up comics like Tim Allen and Dave Coulier got their start at Mark Ridley’s comedy castle, and the venue has also seen acts such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Jay Leno and Kevin James come through its doors. Today, Mark still hand-picks the club’s talent, combing the entire country and Canada for the very best talent available. We encourage you to make an evening of downtown Royal Oak, and grab dinner before the show (the cuisine is delicious!) Check the venue’s website for details.

There’s no better way to reconnect in your relationship than taking a weekend to hit the open road with your favorite guy or gal. Summer isn’t over yet, and we think August is the perfect month to plan an impromptu road trip, just the two of you. Check out our tips below:

1. Pick a destination, and put it on the calendar: Whether you have a specific location in mind, or you’re open to finding someplace new, choosing the destination is half the fun. The majority of states within the U.S. have tourism websites that are helpful resources when it comes to planning. Once you’ve agreed on a location, mark your trip on the calendar – in pen. It’s so easy to get caught up in work and life, we sometimes forget the importance of setting aside time for each other. This small (but important!) step will ensure that happens.

2. Do your homework: There is no worse faux pas on a road trip than running out of gas in the middle of no where. Avoid a potential disaster like this by mapping out your route before you go – locate gas stations, food, rest areas and (if you’re like us) coffee houses ahead of time so you know what to expect. It may also be helpful to utilize tools like Yelp to familiarize yourself with your destination city so you can find the best activities and restaurants, and make reservations if necessary.

3. Make a playlist, throw on some comfy clothes and be ready to cruise: Your playlist sets the tone for your road trip, so choose wisely! Add songs that bring back good memories from your relationship and you will be reminiscing in no time! Of course it’s important to include songs the two of you can jam to (Call Me Maybe, anyone?) and a few power ballads to belt out together. It’s amazing how good music helps pass the time.

4. Be okay with getting lost: Remember that the point of your trip is to spend some quality time together. Getting off-course is a part of life, and sometimes the best memories come from the unexpected. Take this opportunity to talk to each other (see our blog on asking thought-provoking questions here) and laugh together. Pack your sense of humor and be ready to have a blast with your partner, and everything else will fall into place.

Have an Idea for Us?

Send it Over!

Our goal at Datevitation is to inspire couples to have fun together. If you have a suggestion for a date we should profile, or an illustration we should add to our library, we would love to hear from you. If your idea gets voted up by our community, then you'll win a free datevitation gift book.